Does Travel Insurance Cover the Flu or Other Illness?
Every winter brings with it flu (influenza virus) and related illnesses, but recent winters have been especially severe in that regard. As a result, many travelers wonder if travel protection will cover them if they cancel their trip because of the flu.
According to The Sun “The poll of 2,000 US adults who have traveled in the last 12 months found 46% have had flights delayed or canceled, 28% have lost their luggage, 15% have had their reservations changed without notice and 11% have had their personal belongings damaged”. However a travel protection plan can help you in this situation.
Read on to learn more about all the ways travel protection might help with sickness and tips for traveling with the flu.
How does travel insurance cover sicknesses like the flu?
Where the flu really comes into play for travelers – and travel protection – is if they get sick. Flu season can have serious consequences for a trip. For instance, just before you expect to leave on a vacation, you or someone in your family gets too sick to travel. You could be out of luck if you have non-refundable airline tickets, hotel reservations, or other prepaid trip costs and can’t get a refund.
Does travel insurance cover cancellation due to illness?
Travel protection with Trip Cancellation coverage may cover you if you, a traveling companion, or a family member becomes ill before your trip. A doctor must certify in person that you, your traveling companion, or family member are too sick to travel.
You may also be reimbursed if a non-traveling family member is hospitalized due to an illness and you are unable to make the trip. If you or a family member comes down with a severe case of the flu, or if there’s an underlying health condition that can exacerbate or prolong flu symptoms, it’s possible to get sick enough from the flu to have to cancel a trip.
Regardless, if you feel too sick to travel it’s important to have your opinion confirmed and your diagnosis documented by a doctor. Medical documentation will be required if you’re looking to seek reimbursement for your non-refundable trip costs if you have to cancel your trip due to illness, injury, or other covered reasons.
Also read: What to Know About Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Travel Insurance
How else does travel insurance cover sickness?
Generali Global Assistance travel protection with Medical and Dental coverage may help pay for medical treatment if you get sick with the flu or another illness on your trip.
Trip Interruption and Travel Delay coverages, included with all of our plans, may also help out if you get sick on vacation. Trip Interruption coverage may reimburse you for the prepaid cost of trip arrangements that you miss out on while you’re sick (accommodations, tours, flights, event tickets and more).
Travel Delay coverage may provide reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, such as hotel accommodations, meals and transportation if you are unexpectedly delayed during your trip for the specified amount of time in your travel protection plan or longer.
Also read: Why You Might Need to Buy Medical Coverage Before You Travel
Flu, Norovirus, and Bird Flu: What Travelers Need to Know
When it comes to travel-related illnesses, the flu, Norovirus, and bird flu (avian influenza) are some of the most concerning. Each has different symptoms, methods of transmission, and risks for travelers. Understanding these illnesses and how travel protection can help is key to having peace of mind on your trip.
Illness | Symptoms | How It Spreads | Risk Factors for Travelers |
Flu (Influenza) | Fever, body aches, cough, congestion, fatigue | Airborne droplets, direct contact | Peak season in winter, crowded airports, hotels, public transport |
Norovirus | Vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps | Contaminated food, water, surfaces, person-to-person | Common on cruises, resorts, and shared accommodations |
Bird Flu (Avian Influenza) | Fever, cough, sore throat, severe respiratory issues | Close contact with infected birds (live or dead) | Regions with poultry outbreaks, live animal markets, rural areas |
Also read: 10 Tips for Traveling With Medication
How Travel Insurance Can Help
Regardless of which illness you may encounter while traveling, travel protection may offer essential protection:
- Trip Cancellation Coverage – If you are diagnosed with the flu, Norovirus, or bird flu before your trip and a doctor confirms you are unfit to travel, Trip Cancellation coverage may reimburse your non-refundable expenses.
- Trip Interruption Coverage – If you become ill while on your trip and need to return home early, this coverage may help with unused trip costs and additional transportation expenses.
- Emergency Assistance & Transportation Coverage – If you require medical care due to severe flu, Norovirus dehydration, or bird flu complications, this coverage helps pay for doctor visits, hospital stays, and necessary medications.
- Travel Delay Coverage – In cases where an illness leads to mandatory isolation (such as Norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships or bird flu exposure in high-risk areas), some plans may reimburse extended accommodation and meal costs (if delayed for the minimum hours for the plan purchased). If an illness delays your travel plans, Travel protection can cover additional lodging, meals, and transportation while you recover.
Also read: Need to Go to the Hospital on a Trip Abroad? Here's What to Do
Extra Precautions for Travelers
- Flu & Bird Flu Prevention: Get vaccinated before traveling, avoid crowded areas during flu season, and wear a mask in high-risk environments.
- Norovirus Prevention: Wash hands frequently, disinfect surfaces, and avoid raw or undercooked food..
- General Health Tip: If you feel unwell, seek medical care promptly and follow local health guidelines to prevent spreading illness to others.
Also read: How To Stay Healthy and Avoid Getting Sick Before a Vacation
While no one plans to get sick while traveling, having travel protection may help if illness disrupts your trip. Whether it’s the flu, Norovirus, or bird flu, the right coverage can help make all the difference in recovering smoothly and minimizing financial loss.
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